[Endangered domestic animal breeds in German-speaking countries. III. Sheep]

Abstract

Sheep are mainly kept extensively. They therefore have to tolerate the local climatic conditions. By these conditions many traditional breeds still exist, those are hardy and modest enough to find an ecological niche. Because of the local occurrence the number of individuals of many breeds is rather small, so that these breeds are endangered. The hope lies on hobby-breeders, who do not exclusively follow economical reasons and present breeding aims. In the care of the countryside and landscape and in using natural grassland the importance of sheep is growing.